Monitoring system for use with mobile communication device

ABSTRACT

A monitoring system for monitoring an environment and generating data in response to the presence of at least one chemical hazardous to human health in the environment. The monitoring system is configured to communicate the data to an associated personal communication device or the like for processing. The monitoring system can be in the form a selectively attachable component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/891,410, filed Feb. 8, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/235,981, filed Aug. 12, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.9,922,525, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 62/297,385, filed Feb. 19, 2016 and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/205,012, filed Aug. 14, 2015,which applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present exemplary embodiment relates to systems and methods fordetecting chemicals. It finds particular application in conjunction withpersonal communication devices and/or other handheld or portableelectronic devices and will be described with particular referencethereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplaryembodiment is also amenable to other like applications.

Cargo containers are widely used for shipping materials by land or bywater from one country to another. Knowing the contents of suchcontainers has become of increasing importance in detecting potentialthreats. It has thus become extremely important to monitor the contentsof such containers for harmful materials, such as explosives, harmfulbiological and chemical materials, and radiation materials.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,176,793 discloses a detection device in the form of astrip for use in an enclosed container. The detection strip includessensors of macro, meso or nanosize, all of which are referred to asnanosensors, for detecting materials that are harmful to human beingswithin an enclosed container and for transmitting a correspondingresonance frequency. One or more detection strips are initially placedwithin a container, depending on the size of the container. Thedetection devices are designed to send off specific resonant frequencysignals which can be detected by voltage changes and/or current changeswhich are correlated to any harmful material detected within thecontainer. A serial number computer chip is provided for specificallyidentifying the detection device and transmitting a correspondingresonance frequency, which allows the container to be identified. Apower source is provided for operating the detection strip. A hand-heldor stationary monitor is provided for monitoring the container for anysignals given off from the detection strips within the container. Thedetection devices are designed to give off a predetermined amount ofbackground signal. In consequence, if no such signals are received, thecontainer is highly suspect as being tampered with, allowing such acontainer to be quickly removed and its contents examined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The need to detect such chemicals goes far beyond shipping containers.It has been found to be desirable to monitor and detect certainchemicals in a variety of public spaces such as airports and other masstransit installations, stadiums, arenas, and/or any public or privatespace in general. Implementing monitoring systems in these locationspresents challenges both in ensuring proper positioning and/or air flowto the sensors as well as facilitating monitoring of such sensors.Aspects of the present disclosure overcome one or more of suchchallenges.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a monitoringsystem for monitoring an environment is disclosed. The monitoring systemis operative to generate data in response to the presence of at leastone chemical hazardous to human health in the environment andcommunicate the data to an associated personal communication device forprocessing, the monitoring system being selectively attachable to theassociated personal communication device.

The monitoring system can include a detector component, communicationcircuitry and a power source operatively coupled to the detectorcomponent and the communication circuitry for supplying power thereto,and the communication circuitry can be configured to transmit data inresponse to detection of at least one chemical by the detectorcomponent. The power source can be at least one of a battery, aphotovoltaic cell or an antenna for receiving electromagnetic energy.The monitoring system can be disposed in a protective case for apersonal communication device. The protective case can be selectivelyattachable to an associated personal communication device. At least oneof the detector component, communication circuitry or power source canbe part of a removable/replaceable module selectively attachable to theprotective case.

In accordance with another aspect, an assembly comprises a personalcommunication device having a processor and communication circuitry, anda device selectively attached to the personal communication device andhaving a monitoring system for monitoring an environment, the monitoringsystem operative to generate data in response to the presence of atleast one chemical in the environment and communicate the data to thepersonal communication device. The processor of the personalcommunication device processes the data received from the deviceattached thereto to determine at least one of the kind or concentrationof the at least one chemical in the environment.

The personal communication device can include a non-transitory computerreadable medium storing instructions causing the processor to execute anapplication for processing the data, the application configured to:receive the data from the device, and analyze the data to detect one ormore chemical signatures.

The device attached to the personal communication device can include aprotective case. The protective case can include a resilient materialfor cushioning the personal communication device. The monitoring systemcan include a detector component, communication circuitry and a powersource. At least one of the detector component, communication circuitryor power source can be part of a removable/replaceable moduleselectively attachable to the protective case. The power source can beat least one of a battery, a photovoltaic cell or an antenna forreceiving electromagnetic energy.

In accordance with another aspect, a method of detecting a chemicalcomprises generating data with a device attached to a personalcommunication device, the device having a monitoring system formonitoring an environment, the monitoring system operative to generatedata in response to the presence of at least one chemical in theenvironment, communicating the data to a personal communication device,and analyzing the data with the personal communication device to detectone or more chemical signatures.

The method can further include selectively attaching and removing thedevice to/from the personal communication device. Communicating the datato the personal communication device can be performed wirelessly, suchas by using at least one of WIFI, Bluetooth, NFC or other wirelesscommunication protocol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary communicationdevice and removable component in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary system in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary removable component in accordancewith the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary container including a monitoring systemin accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary public space in which the monitoringsystem in accordance with the present disclosure is configured tomonitor;

FIG. 6. illustrates an exemplary monitoring system in accordance withthe present disclosure integrated into a collar of a law enforcementcanine;

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary public space in which themonitoring system in accordance with the present disclosure isconfigured to monitor;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary monitoring system in accordance with thepresent disclosure integrated into a cargo hold of an aircraft; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary monitoring system in accordance with thepresent disclosure integrated into a handheld wand for scanningpassengers and/or luggage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary monitor for monitoring anddetecting chemical compositions is illustrated and identified generallyby reference numeral 10. In this embodiment, the monitor 10 is in theform of a protective case for a cell phone 12 or other personalcommunications device (e.g., tablets, laptops, etc.). It will beappreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to any particularcase design or configuration, and that aspects of the disclosure can beembodied in a wide variety of both protective cases as well asornamental cases and/or other devices attachable to either such cases ordirectly to a personal communication device. In other embodiments,aspects of the disclosure can be embodied in other types of accessoriesthat may commonly be used with a cell phone or person communicationsdevice. For example, wearable devices such as smart watches, peripheraldevices such as Bluetooth speakers, etc.

Returning to FIG. 1, the cell phone 12 is configured to be received inand/or at least partially surrounded by the case 10 in any suitablefashion. In some arrangements, the case may be made of a resilientmaterial that can be deformed to allow the cell phone 12 to be securelyinserted and retained within the case. In other arrangements, the casecan include a hard plastic two-piece frame between which the cell phone12 is sandwiched. Again, a wide variety of case designs and types areenvisioned. The case 10 further includes a monitor system, which in FIG.1 is identified by reference numeral 16.

With reference to FIG. 2, the monitor system 16 generally includes amonitor/detector component 20. One monitor/detector component that isparticularly well-suited for purposes of the present disclosure is setforth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,629,770 to Hummer et al. and U.S. Pat. No.7,176,793 to Hummer, both of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entireties. Other types of monitor/detector components can alsobe used in accordance with the present disclosure.

The monitor system further includes communication circuitry 22 and apower source 24. The communication circuitry 22, in one embodiment,includes at least one of a near field communication device, Bluetoothcommunication device, WIFI communication device, or any other suitablecommunication circuity for establishing communications with the cellphone 12. The power source 24 can be a power supply such as a battery(lithium or other) mounted or otherwise contained within case 10. Inother embodiments, the power source 24 can be an antenna configured toreceive energy wirelessly and supply the received energy to one or bothof the monitor/detector component 20 and/or communication circuitry 22such that no onboard battery is required for operation of the monitorsystem 16. In still other arrangements, the power source 24 can be aconnector configured to couple with a port of the cell phone 12 toreceive power from a power source of the cell phone 12.

An active or passive air flow induction device 26 can be provided forensuring adequate and or continuous flow of air to the monitor 20. Suchdevices can include fans, micropumps, louvers, vents etc. An activeinduction device can be separately replaceable within the system and caninclude its own power supply. Alternatively, an active induction devicecan be configured to receive power from power supply 24.

It should be appreciated that the monitor/detector component 20 cancomprise a plurality of sensors 28. The sensors 28 can be individuallyreplaceable or can be replaced as a unit. Replacement of the sensors maybe necessary due to sensor degradation. In other situations, a user maywish to detect certain chemicals and will choose which sensors toinstall in the system. In one embodiment, the entire monitor system 16is replaceable as a unit.

The sensors 28 may detect harmful materials, such as explosives,radioactive materials, harmful chemicals, such as chemical warfareagents, nerve gases, biological materials, such as gases, anthrax andother germ warfare agents, narcotics and other illegal drugs, orcombinations thereof. At least one of the sensors 28 can be configuredfor generating a signal which is indicative of the presence of anitrogen-based explosive, such as trinitrotoluene (TNT) and/or aperoxide based explosive, such as triacetone triperoxide (TATP) orhexamethylenetriperoxidediamine (HMTD), or a combination thereof, forexample.

It will be appreciated that the monitor system 16 is configured tocommunicate with the cell phone 12. That is, the monitor system 16collects data and transmits or otherwise shares the collected data withthe cell phone 12 for processing. The cell phone 12 of the illustratedembodiment includes a processor 30, a memory 32, a communicationcircuitry 34, and a power source 36. It will be appreciated that thecell phone 12 can include a wide variety of additional components as isconventional. Such additional components can include a display device,input device, various sensors, various antennas, etc.

Data collected by the monitor/detector 20 is transmitted viacommunication circuitry 22 to communication circuitry 34 of the cellphone 12. Other data, such as sensor state, status, performance data,and the like can also be transmitted to the cell phone 12. Any suitablemanner of transmitting the data from the monitor system 16 to the cellphone 12 can be employed.

The data collected and transmitted by the monitoring system 16 is thenprocessed by the phone to detect one or more chemicals in accordancewith one or more methods set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,629,770 to Hummeret al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,176,793 to Hummer. To this end, suitablesoftware for analyzing the data is stored in memory 32 of the cell phone12. Other detection and/or analyzing methods and techniques may also beused in conjunction with aspects of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the software stored in memory 12 can be in the formof an application, or “app”, that is downloaded from an app store or thelike. The app can be provided with various “signatures” of chemicals.The signatures can be compared to the data to determine whether thechemical signature was detected by the monitoring system 16. The app canbe configured to be automatically updated with new signatures as theneed to detect particular chemicals arise. That is, it is possible toprovide new and/or additional chemical signatures for the app to checkagainst the data to detect specific chemicals.

The app can further include features such as adjustable thresholds. Forexample, for some chemicals that are routinely present in certainamounts and/or not generally considered dangerous below certain levels,the application can be configured to detect or trigger an alarm when athreshold amount is met or exceeded. For some chemicals which areconsidered dangerous in any amount, the thresholds would not generallybe adjustable.

The app can be further configured to, once a chemical is detected, sharethe detection information. For example, the application can beconfigured to use the communication circuitry 34 to broadcast an alert(or generate a notification) via any suitable communications network(e.g., WIFI, NFC, Bluetooth, cell, etc.). The alert may be directly sentto other cell phones and/or personal communication devices in the areaor may be sent to a server (or through a network) and then on to deviceswithin a range of a given location. Accordingly, the application can beconfigured to use location information from a GPS chip, WIFI or anyother location information available to the cell phone 12 to identifythe location of the detected chemical.

The app can be configured to alert the authorities in the event certainchemicals are detected. For example, the detection of any amount ofsarin gas (or other chemical/biological weapon) can trigger informationrelating to the location, time, etc. of the detection to be forwarded tocertain designated authorities for threat management/mitigation.

It should be appreciated that a network of devices having monitoringsystems, each detecting a certain chemical, can be configured to sharevaluable data regarding the dispersion of the particular chemical. Forexample, devices in close proximity to each other and the point oforigin of the chemical may detect a greater concentration of thechemical than devices further away from the point of origin. Using thisdata and an appropriate dispersion model, a point of origin can becalculated. This can allow responsive action to be taken more quicklythan otherwise would be the case.

Similarly, the data (location, concentration, etc.) from a plurality ofsuch devices can be used to predict dispersion of the chemical so thatpreemptive action can be taken to minimize exposure of humans to thedetected chemical.

Providing the monitoring system 16 in a separate component that isattachable to a phone or other personal communication device has severaladvantages. For example, any and all such devices can becomemonitors/detectors upon the provision of a suitable case or othercomponent. Accordingly, a consumer can decide whether to add thefunctionality. In addition, the orientation, location and other aspectsof the positioning of the sensor elements within the case or othercomponent can be standardized to provide more consistent detection ascompared to placing the sensor elements within various different modelsof cell phones. This is because the myriad phone manufacturers andmodels each have different space constraints that would dictatedifferent available locations, orientations, etc. for the sensorelements within the phone. As such, some sensor elements would be in abetter position within a respective phone to detect chemicals than otherphones. This can lead to widely varying detection accuracy betweendifferent phones exposed to the same concentration of a given chemical.

It should be appreciated that, although the monitoring system 16 isillustrated as part of a case 10, the monitoring system can also beprovided as a separate unit attachable either directly to a cell phoneor the like, or attachable to a case in which a cell phone is contained.

With reference to FIG. 3, another exemplary embodiment is illustratedand includes a case for a personal communication device identifiedgenerally by reference numeral 50. In this embodiment, the case 50 issimilar to the case 10 of FIG. 1 but further includes a slot 52 forreceiving a removable and/or replaceable monitoring system 54. In oneembodiment, the removable/replaceable component includes all of thecomponents of the monitoring system such as a power source,monitor/detector components, and communications circuitry. In otherembodiments, the removable/replaceable component can include only thesensors of the monitor/detector, only the power source, only thecommunication circuitry, or any combination thereof. Theremovable/replaceable component can be configured to “click-lock” in theslot 52 in a manner similar to an SD card or the like wherein thecomponent is pressed into the slot until a latch engages to retain thecomponent and then pressed further into the slot to release the latchfor removal. It will be appreciated that there are a wide variety ofways to retain the removable component in the slot. A seal orweatherproof cap can be provided to prevent ingress of water orcontaminants.

While the foregoing embodiments illustrate a monitoring systemattachable to a personal communication device directly or via aprotective case or the like, it should be appreciated that themonitoring system of the above described embodiments can also link tothe personal communication device without being physically attachedthereto. Thus, the monitoring system can be provided as a standalonesystem to which the personal communication device can be configured toconnect to perform the above described functions.

For example, with reference to FIG. 4, a monitoring system 64 isprovided in a separate container 66, such as a shipping box or the like.When the personal communication device is placed in proximity to theshipping box, the monitoring system can be configured to connect apersonal communication device, such as cell phone 12, and perform theabove-described functionality. The monitoring system can be placedinside the box, for detecting chemicals carried within the box, forexample. In other embodiments the monitoring system 64 can additionallyor alternatively monitor for chemicals outside of the box.

It should be appreciated that the monitoring system 64 can be configuredto communicate with other devices besides (or in addition to) thepersonal communication device described above. Such devices can includescanners or other devices adapted to connect and receive data from aplurality of such monitoring systems disposed in a plurality ofrespective containers.

In one example, a scanning device can be associated with a conveyorsystem of a parcel service for scanning packages by communicating withmonitoring systems associated with the packages as they advance througha shipping facility. In another example, the monitoring devices of thepresent disclosure can be associated with luggage (or other airline orcommon carrier freight). It will be appreciated that a wide variety ofapplications for the technology of the present disclosure arecontemplated.

In some embodiments, it can be advantageous to include active and/orpassive air flow inducing devices for ensuring sufficient air flowacross the sensors.

This can be particularly advantageous for applications wherein thesensors are in a fixed location, such as within a cargo hold or otherlocation. Suitable devices can include fans or micropumps for displacingair across and/or adjacent a sensor installation. In some applications,louvers or vent openings can be positioned to maximize air flow to thesensor. Increasing air flow can make detection of certain chemicals moreefficient.

It should be appreciated that the monitoring system 16 of the presentdisclosure can be configured to activate sensors 28 only when connectedto a personal communication device or the like. In such configuration,the monitoring system generally lies dormant until such time as aconnection is made with a remote device. The system 16 may then beginsensing for one or more chemicals and transmitting data to the remotedevice.

In another configuration, the system 16 may be configured toperiodically activate to sense for the presence of one or more chemicalsregardless of whether the system 16 is connected to a remote device. Inthis case, once the system 16 connects to a remote device, all past datagathered by the system 16 can be transmitted to the remote device toprovide a sensing history.

Turning to FIGS. 5-9, various applications of the exemplary monitoringsystem are illustrated. In FIG. 5, a monitoring system 16 is deployed ina public restroom facility PR. The monitoring system 16 can be placednear a door in a position to where air flow into/out of the facility maygenerally be optimized. The monitoring system 16 could also beincorporated into an exhaust air duct of the facility. The monitoringsystem 16 can be configured to communicate with one or more handhelddevices or can establish a permanent or semi-permanent connection toexisting communication infrastructure, such as WIFI or the like.

In FIG. 6, a monitoring system 16 is integrated into the collar of a lawenforcement canine C. It will be appreciated that movement of the canineC will cause air to circulate around the monitoring system 16 to enhancesensing capabilities. In addition, the canine can be instructed to entercertain spaces for inspection and/or sampling of the air that wouldgenerally not be accessible by other methods. In addition to mounting ona canine, the monitoring system can be mounted on other mobile platformssuch as drones or unmanned or manned vehicles.

FIG. 7 illustrates a monitoring system 16 in a customs and/or borderpatrol checkpoint CP. It will be appreciated a plurality of monitoringsystems can be deployed in suitable locations throughout the checkpoint.In the illustrated embodiment, the monitoring system is shown on a postadjacent a vehicle travel path.

FIG. 8 illustrates a monitoring system 16 in a cargo hold of an aircraftA, such as a commercial airliner.

FIG. 9 illustrates a monitoring system 16 integrated into a handheldwand W for manually scanning/sampling a passenger P and the passenger'sluggage L. It will be appreciated that the monitoring system 16 can beincorporated into existing wands, such as metal detector wands typicallyused by security personnel for scanning passengers at airports or otherindividuals.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations willoccur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construedas including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A monitoring device for monitoring an environment, the monitoringdevice operative to generate data or information in response to thepresence or absence of at least one chemical in the environment andcommunicate the data to an associated receiver for processing by theassociated receiver for the detection of the presence or absence of oneor more chemical signatures in the data; wherein the monitoring deviceincludes a detector component, communication circuitry and a powersource operatively coupled to the detector component and thecommunication circuitry for supplying power thereto, and wherein thecommunication circuitry is configured to transmit data to the associatedreceiver; and wherein the power source includes an antenna configured toreceive energy wirelessly and directly supply the received energy to atleast one of the detector component or the communication circuitrywhereby no onboard battery is used for operation of the monitoringdevice; wherein the monitoring device is configured to periodicallyactivate to sense for the presence or absence of one or more chemicalsregardless of whether the monitoring device is connected to theassociated receiver; wherein the monitoring device transmits past datagathered by the monitoring device when the monitoring device isconnected to the associated receiver; and wherein at least one of thedetector components, communication circuitry or power source is aprinted component.
 2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein theassociated receiver includes a personal communication device orelectronic device or peripheral device.
 3. The monitoring device ofclaim 1, further comprising a housing.
 4. The monitoring device of claim3, wherein the housing is selectively attachable directly to anassociated receiver or to a protective case of an associated receiver.5. The monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising anactive/passive flow induction device for directing flow of air or liquidor other substance to the detector component.
 6. The monitoring deviceof claim 1, wherein the printed component is at least one of a screenprinted component or an ink-jet printed component.
 7. The monitoringdevice of claim 6, wherein the printed component supported on anadhesively backed substrate.
 8. The monitoring device of claim 7,wherein the adhesively backed substrate is associated with at least oneof an animal collar or muzzle, a vehicle or a checkpoint, area wherecargo is stored, area where food is stored or transported, public spaceor restroom, box or luggage or freight, air duct or other types of flowconduits in structures or a hand-held wand.
 9. A system comprising: areceiver having a processor and communication circuitry; and aperipheral device having a monitoring device for monitoring anenvironment, the monitoring device operative to generate data orinformation in response to the presence or absence of at least onechemical in the environment and communicate the data to the receiver;wherein the processor of the receiver processes the data received fromthe monitoring device to determine the presence or absence of at leastone of the kind or concentration of the at least one chemical in theenvironment; wherein the monitoring device includes a detectorcomponent, communication circuitry and a power source; and wherein thepower source includes an antenna configured to receive energy wirelesslyand directly supply the received energy to at least one of the detectorcomponent or the communication circuitry, whereby no onboard battery isused for operation of the monitoring device; wherein the monitoringdevice is configured to periodically activate to sense for the absenceor presence of one or more chemicals regardless of whether themonitoring device is connected to the receiver; and wherein themonitoring device transmits past data gathered by the monitoring devicewhen the monitoring device is connected to the receiver; and wherein atleast one of the detector components, communication circuitry or powersource is a printed component.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein thereceiver includes a non-transitory computer readable medium storinginstructions causing the processor to execute an application forprocessing the data, the application configured to: receive the data orinformation from the monitoring device; and analyze the data to detector interpret one or more chemical signatures.
 11. The system of claim 9,further comprising a housing.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thehousing is selectively attachable to the receiver.
 13. The system ofclaim 9, further comprising an active/passive flow induction device fordirecting flow of air, liquid or other substance to the detectorcomponent.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the printed component isat least one of a screen printed element or an ink-jet element.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the printed component is supported on anadhesively backed substrate.
 16. A method of detecting the presence orabsence of a chemical comprising: generating data or information with amonitoring device operative to generate data or information in responseto the presence or absence of at least one chemical in a monitoredenvironment; communicating the data to a receiver; analyzing the datawith the receiver to detect the presence or absence one or more chemicalsignatures; wherein the monitoring device includes a detector component,communication circuitry and a power source; and wherein the power sourceincludes an antenna configured to receive energy wirelessly and directlysupply the received energy to at least one of the detector component orthe communication circuitry, whereby no onboard battery is used foroperation of the monitoring device; and wherein the monitoring device isconfigured to periodically activate to sense for the presence of one ormore chemicals regardless of whether the monitoring device is connectedto the receiver; and wherein the monitoring device transmits past datagathered by the monitoring device when the monitoring device isconnected to the receiver; and wherein at least one of the detectorcomponents, communication circuitry or power source is a printedcomponent.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiver is remoteand spaced apart from the monitoring device.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the communicating of the data or information to the receiver isperformed wirelessly.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least oneof wireless communication such as WIFI, cell, bluetooth, near-fieldcommunication, satellite, infrared, optical, sonic, ultrasonic,electromagnetic, broadcast radio, microwave or very low frequencyradiation is used for communicating the data to the receiver.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising positioning the monitoring devicein or on at least one of an animal collar or muzzle, a vehicle or acheckpoint, area where cargo is stored, area where food is stored ortransported, public space or restroom, box or luggage or freight, airduct or other types of flow conduits in structures and a hand-held wand.